Scuba Diving Permits will now be required from the 1st September 2007. This is a permit for divers to dive in the Marine Protected Areas MPA's of South Africa

Scuba Diving Permits are now required for Sodwana Bay!

CONDITIONS FOR RECREATIONAL SCUBA-DIVING IN 4 MPAS AS FROM 1 JANUARY 2007

(Note: The conditions below will apply from date of purchase to divers purchasing a recreational permit between 11 and 31 December 2006, apart from those relating to night diving which will only come into effect from 1 January 2007). Current (2006) conditions prohibit diving in the MPAs between 18:00-06:00, apart from Aliwal Shoal dive operators.)

The holders of a recreational scuba diving permit shall:

1. Not remove, unduly disturb or harass any marine organism or habitat, including shells or substrate, marine mammals, seabirds and fish.
2. Not feed fish, practice chumming, or dump any material, or discharge any biological attractants in the MPA.
3. Dive in the Table Mountain, Pondoland and Aliwal Shoal MPA during daylight hours only (from half an hour before local sunrise to the time of local sunset), unless as part of a group being taken out by an MCM-authorized business operator. A representative of a registered Diving Club or individuals must notify the managing authority of the MPA to their satisfaction if they intend night diving. (Table Mountain (SANParks) – 021-7865656, Pondoland (Eastern Cape Parks Board) – 047-3870451/043-7424450, Aliwal Shoal (Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife – 0825592848).
4. Scuba dive in Bird Island MPA during 08:00 to 16:00 only after having notified the SANParks MPA manager of their plans (042-2330556).
5. Not dive in any MPA where a scuba diving permit is required between 23:00 and 04:00 at all.
6. Abide by the Diver Code of Conduct.
7. Note that these conditions will be applicable to any new MPAs that may be declared or re-gazetted.
8. Adhere to the condition that boats taking persons diving in an MPA where a permit is required shall only launch from an authorized launching site, and shall not launch earlier than an hour before local sunrise or return later than an hour after local sunset unless night diving in compliance with condition 3.

Diver Code of Conduct (Put together by Underwater Africa)

A Recreational Scuba Diver should:

1. Avoid all unnecessary contact or interference with marine life and habitats.
2. Strive to develop and maintain excellent buoyancy control skills.
3. Not take or purchase any souvenirs such as corals or shells.
4. Keep diving sites and launch areas clean.
5. Support service providers that adopt environmentally friendly practices.
6. Obey local laws and regulations.
7. Learn about the underwater environment and the impact of humans on the environment.
8. Dive within the limits of training and experience.
9. Show consideration towards fellow divers and other users.
10. Encourage other divers to follow this Code of Conduct.
11. Help create conservation awareness amongst the local community, general public and diving community.

SCUBA DIVING IN MARINE PROTECTED AREAS -
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - DEAT Website Pdf <Click Here>.

Q: What details are required when applying for a scuba diving exemption in a
marine protected area (MPA)?

Recreational exemption:

Name of applicant
ID number
Postal address
Contact number

Commercial exemption (for dive schools and dive charter businesses):

Name of owner/s and Business Name
ID number of owner
Company registration number
Vat registration number
Postal address
Contact number
Research exemptions:
Name of applicant and Institution
ID Number
Description of research and areas of operation

These details can be e-mailed to Risha Persad @ rpersad@deat.gov.za, or posted to
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Private Bag X2, Roggebaai, 8012 for
the Attention of Risha Persad.

Q: How long is the exemption valid for?

The exemption is valid from the date of issue until the 31 December 2006, or until the
scuba diving permitting system has been implemented. The exemption shall automatically
expire once the permit system is in place.

Q: Is this exemption applicable to all MPA’s or will one have to apply for a
seperate exemption for the different MPA’s?

The exemption issued out will cover diving in the Table Mountain National Park MPA,
Pondoland MPA and Aliwal Shoal MPA, where scuba diving is permitted only with a permit
or exemption. In all other “older” MPAs (apart from Bird Island) scuba diving IS permitted
but please consult the Park Manager regarding particular Park rules that may apply (such
as notifying the Park Manager first). One does not need to apply for separate exemptions
per MPA.

Q: Does the exemption for scuba diving in MPAs (Marine Protected Areas) for
commercial purposes include both students and paying clients?

Yes. It has been decided by the DDG of MCM that the currently issued exemptions for
commercial operators to scuba dive in MPAs includes both their students and normal
paying clients.

The rationale for this is that some paying clients will in fact be logging time towards a more
advanced qualification during their dives. However, this inclusion of paying clients places
the obligation on the commercial exemption holder to ensure adherence to exemption
conditions by such clients at all times, or else general condition 1.2 will be applicable. In
addition this interpretation should not create any expectation that the same or a similar
arrangement will form part of a permit system in future.

For further enquiries contact Risha Persad on (021) 402-3537.

There are two options:

Each diver to buy a permit for R75 from the Post Office which is valid for one year,

OR..

One month permits are available at the dive charters launching out to the areas for R45, this is a good option for foreign divers coming down for a short period to dive.

Find out about the scuba diving permits on the DEAT website

CONDITIONS FOR RECREATIONAL SCUBA-DIVING IN 4 MPAS AS FROM 1 JANUARY 2007 s

www.mcm-deat.gov.za/ecotourism/scuba_conditions.html -click here for latest version

This information is provided for easy access only please click to go to the DEAT website for the latest updates etc. DEAT Website

MPA's

More Protected Areas http://www.mcm-deat.gov.za/marine_protected/recreational_protected_areas.html

Through the declaration of and additional four marine protected areas (MPA's), the total of South Africa's coastline falling within protected areas are just less than 20%. Our MPA's will create an important refuge for a number of fishstocks under substantial pressure, and have added to our reputation as world-leader in the conservation of marine resources

MARINE PROTECTED AREAS AND CLOSED AREAS

There are several types of areas in the marine and coastal environment where special regualtions apply for conservation, fishery management and the promotion of tourism. These include:

Marine Protected Areas, which are declared under Section 43 of the Marine Living Resources Act. In general no fishing, construction work, pollution, or any form of disturbance is allowed here unless written permission has been granted by the Mininster.

Closed Areas, which are declared under Section 77 of the Marine Living Resources Act. Fishing is restricted or prohibited entirely in these areas as indicated below.

National Parks, which are declared under the National Parks Act. Regulations that apply in these areas are not listed here, except in those cases where the National Park has also been declared as a Marine Protected Area.

Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park, which is declared under the World Heritage Convention Act and is managed by the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park Authority. Fishing in this area is subject to the provisions described here for the St. Lucia and Maputaland Marine Protected Areas.

MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

Langebaan Lagoon Marine Protected Area

Langebaan Lagoon is divided into three zones. Recreational fishing is allowed in the northern-most zone (Zone A), north of a line joining Beacons LB4, in Kraal Bay, and LB3, at Oesterwal.

Sixteen Mile Beach Marine Protected Area

No fishing from the shore is allowed in the area between Plankies and Rooipan se Klippe (near Yzerfontein).

Malgas Island, Jutten Island and Marcus Island Marine Protected Areas

No fishing is allowed along the shores of these islands.

Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area

No fishing is allowed in the following restricted zones:

St James Restricted Zone: between the tidal pool at St James and the tidal pool at Kalk Bay. Exact boundary coordinates are:

34°07’.123S; 018°27’.568E

34°07’.567S; 018°27’.050E

34°07’.567S; 018°27’.568E

Boulders Restricted Zone: in the area between the eastern end of Simonstown harbour and Oatlands. Exact boundary coordinates are:

34°11’.567S; 018°26’.762E

34°12’.705S; 018°27’.781E

34°10’.581S; 018°27’.196E

34°10’.581S; 018°27’.781E

Castle Rock Restricted Zone: between the beacon VB1 at Millers Point and VB2 at Partridge Point, extending approximately one nautical mile seawards. Exact boundary coordinates are:

34°15’.480S; 018°28’.344E

34°14’.100S; 018°28’.508E

34°14’.100S; 018°29’.300E

34°15’.480S; 018°29’.300E

Paulsberg Restricted Zone: between Smitswinkel Point and Venus Pool, and extending approximately one nautical mile seawards. Exact boundary coordinates are:

34°17’.744S; 018°28’.020E

34°16’.549S; 018°28’.464E

34°16’.549S; 018°29’.000E

34°17’.744S; 018°29’.000E

Cape of Good Hope Restricted Zone: between Hoek van die Bobbejaan and the fence at Scarborough, and extending approximately one nautical mile seawards. Exact boundary coordinates are:

34°12’.271S; 018°22’.194E

34°18’.393S; 018°24’.258E

34°16’.490S; 018°22’.194E

34°18’.393S; 018°23’.500E

Karbonkelberg Restricted Zone: between the Sentinal and Hout Bay and Oudekraal, and extending 3.3 nautical miles offshore at the widest point. Exact boundary coordinates are: 34°03’.660S; 018°20’.252E

33°58’.757S; 018°21’.847E

34°03’.660S; 018°17’.797E

33°58’.757S; 018°17’.797E

Helderberg Marine Protected Area

No fishing is allowed between the mouth of the Eerste River and the mouth of the Lourens River in False Bay, extending 500m seawards from the high-water mark.

Betty’s Bay Marine Protected Area

Only shore angling is allowed between beacon B1 at Stoney Point and beacon B4, to the east of Jock-se-baai, extending two nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

De Hoop Marine Protected Area

No fishing is allowed between beacon DH1 at Still Bay Point and beacon DH2 between Rys Point and Skipskop, extending three nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

Goukamma Marine Protected Area

Only shore angling is allowed between Portion 1 of the farm Walker’s Point at Buffels Bay and the western boundary of the Goukamma Nature Reserve, extending two nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

Robberg Marine Protected Area

No fishing is allowed in a rectangular area surrounding the Robberg Peninsula between the latitudes 34°04’.916S and 34°07’.633S and the longitudes 023°22’.300E and 023°25’.967E, although shore angling is allowed.

Tsitsikamma National Park (includes the Tsitsikamma Marine Protected Area)

No fishing is allowed between Groot River at Oubos to Groot River at Nature’s Valley, extending three nautical miles sea-wards from the high-water mark.

Sardinia Bay Marine Protected Area

No fishing is allowed between beacon PECR1 near Schoenmakerskop and beacon PECR2 near Bushy Park, extending one nautical mile seawards from the high-water mark.

Bird Island MPA

No fishing is allowed around Bird island in Algoa Bay within a rectangle defined by the latitudes 33° 48.0S and 33° 52.5S and the longitudes 026° 14.5E and 026° 20.0E

Dwesa-Cwebe Marine Protected Area

No fishing is allowed between the western bank of the mouth of the Suku River (in the District of Elliotdale) and Human’s Rock (in the district of Willowvale), including the tidal portion of the Mbashe River, extending six nautical miles seawards of the high-water mark.

HluIeka Marine Protected Area

No fishing is allowed adjacent to the Hluleka Nature Reserve (in the Ngqeleni District), extending six nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

Pondoland MPA

No offshore fishing is allowed in the area bounded by a line running 128° from the southern head of the Sikombe River, a line running 128° from the northern head of the Mboyti River and the 1000-m isobath. No shore-based fishing is allowed along the following four sections of coast:

1. From 31° 10’.3S; 030° 07’.5E to 31° 12’.5S; 030° 05’.2E

2. From 31° 15’.0S; 030° 02’.9E to 31° 16’.8S; 030° 01’.2E

3. From 31° 17’.6S; 030° 00’.6E to 31° 19’.1S; 029° 58’.5E

4. From 31° 25’.4S; 029° 51’.2E to 31° 27’.0S; 029° 45’.5E

No fishing is allowed in the Mtentu and Sikaba estuaries.

Trafalgar Marine Protected Area

Only shore angling and fishing for certain pelagic fish is allowed between beacon N1 south of Centre Rocks and beacon N2 opposite the southern boundary of the Mpenjati Resort, extending 500 m seawards from the high-water mark.

Aliwal Shoal MPA

No fishing is allowed on Aliwal Shoal, near Umkomaas, nor around the wreck of the Produce.

The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (includes St Lucia and Maputaland Marine Protected Areas)

St Lucia Marine Protected Area extends from beacon N3 north of Ngoboseleni Stream to beacon N4 south of Cap Vidal, and extends three nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark. No fishing is allowed in the Sanctuary Zone between beacon N5 at Red Cliffs and beacon N6 at Leven Point, extending three nautical miles due east from the high-water mark. In the Restricted Zones which lie to the north of beacon N5 at Red Cliffs and to the south of beacon N6 at Leven Point, respectively, shore anglers may catch fish, and skiboat anglers and spearfishers may catch certain species of pelagic fish.

Maputaland Marine Protected Area extends frombeacon N7 at the Moçambique border to beacon N3 north of Ngoboseleni Stream, extending three nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

No fishing is allowed in the Sanctuary Zone between the beacon N8 at Boteler Point and beacon N9 500m south of Dog Point, extending three nautical miles due east from the high-water mark.

No fishing is allowed in the Sanctuary Zone between the beacon N7 at the Moçambique border and the beacon N13, extending three nautical miles due east from the high-water mark, except that shore angling is allowed north of beacon N27, which lies 2 km south of the mouth of the Kosi Lakes.

In the Restricted Zones between beacon N13 and beacon N8 and between beacon N9 and beacon N3 shore anglers may catch fish, and skiboat anglers and spearfishers may catch certain species of pelagic fish.

CLOSED AREAS

St Helena Bay

No rock lobster may be caught between Stompneus Point and beacons SHBE/DR at Wilde Varkens Valley (near Doctor’s Reef), extending six nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

No rock lobster may be caught between Shell Bay Point and Stompneus Point, extending three nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

Saldanha Bay

No rock lobster may be caught between North Head and South Head (the entire Saldanha Bay).

Table Bay

No rock lobster may be caught between Melkbos Point (beacon MB1) and Die Josie (near Chapman’s Peak - beacon MB2), extending 12 nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

Strand

Only shore angling (and no other type of fishing) is allowed between the mouth of the Lourens River, and the eastern breakwater of the harbour at Gordon’s Bay, extending 500 m seawards.

Mudge Point

Only shore angling and the catching of rock lobster is allowed between the western limit of the Hawston harbour and the eastern limit of the Frans Senekal Reserve, extending 100 m seawards from the high-water mark.

Onrus River

Only shore angling is allowed inside Harderbaai north of a line drawn between the beacons at Van der Riet Hoek (OR1) and Marine Drive Point (OR2) respectively.

Hermanus

Only shore angling (and no other type of fishing) is allowed between the beacons at Kraal Rock (HR1), Walker Bay, and Rietfontein (HR2), Hermanus, extending 500 m seawards from the high-water mark

Dyer Island

Only shore angling is allowed at Dyer Island, in an area extending two nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

East London

Only fishing from the shore is allowed in the following three areas near East London:

(i) between Nahoon Point and Gonubie Point, extending three nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark,

(ii) between Christmas Rock and Gxulu River mouth extending three nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark, and

(iii) between Nyara River mouth and Great Kei River mouth, extending three nautical miles seawards from the high-water mark.

Durban

Fishing for invertebrates is not allowed in the area between the line drawn 145° from the south breakwater of Durban Harbour and another line drawn 145° from the mouth of the Umgeni river, extending three nautical miles from the high-water mark.

Press Articles of Interest...

WORLD OCEANS DAY AND INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE SHARK COMMEMORATED IN GANSBAAI, WESTERN CAPE

08 April 2009

Media Statement

Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

MONDAY, 08 JUNE 2009:The conservation of sharks came under the spotlight today, 08 June 2009 as South Africa celebrated World Oceans Day under the theme, “One Ocean, One Climate, One Future,” in Gansbaai, Western Cape. South Africa’s commitment to shark conservation is evident by SA being the first country to provide protected status for the great white shark species in1991. The seriousness with which South Africa views the threats facing sharks is demonstrated by South Africa making clear its intention to terminate the pelagic shark fishery.

The theme, “One Ocean, One Climate, One Future,” is apt as it highlights that the ocean can never be separated from the fight to combat climate change. Climate change is also the focus of National Environment month proceedings. The theme is pertinent as it emphasizes the critical role of the ocean in maintaining the Earth’s climate and reminds us that ocean life is vulnerable to climate change. A healthy ocean is vital as it helps absorb excess carbon dioxide, provides jobs and food to people the world over.

2009 has also been declared International Year of the Shark in a move meant to raise global l awareness about sharks and the threat of extinction faced by certain species. Sharks are regarded as one of the oceans most magnificent, oldest and probably most misunderstood of marine creatures. Sharks play a vital role as apex predators in balancing the marine ecosystem.

In terms of South Africa’s intention to terminate the pelagic shark fishery, no further rights were subsequently allocated for this fishery in 2005. The fishery is in its final phase of termination with seven companies currently operating under exemption.

Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Buyelwa Sonjica said, “the intention this year is that the exemptions holders will be allocated fishing rights in the swordfish and tuna longline fishery where pelagic sharks will be managed as a bycatch species. The number of rights holders in the demersal shark longline fishery has also been drastically reduced to only six right holders as a precautionary measure, and further reductions will be determined based on the stock status of the directed species”.

Minister Sonjica emphasised that already South Africa had taken a lead in being the first country globally to provide protected status for the great white shark in 1991, which has resulted in increased nature-based tourism or ecotourism and contributing at least R50m per year through the shark cage diving industry. Proposals are also being made that the Great White Sharks should be marketed as part of the Big Seven she said referring to the big five with two marine animals, sharks and whales being included.

Focusing on the country’s research efforts Sonjica added that as South Africa we have progressed in our understanding of the importance of sharks and for several years we have committed to study these animals both for improving our understanding of their often secretive behaviour and for understanding our marine ecosystems. Sharks are top predators and feed at the top of food chains. By monitoring their condition individually and at the population level, we can create a health index of the layers below them that they feed on.

As part of the celebratory activities media were also taken shark cage diving where they experienced these magnificent creatures up close. Media were also shown how the tagging of sharks is conducted for research purposes aimed at collecting further data on these secretive sea creatures.

In 1997 the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) developed an International Plan of Action for the conservation and management of sharks (IPOA-sharks). The IPOA-sharks is a voluntary instrument that was elaborated within the framework of the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishers, to which South Africa is a signatory. The IPOA-sharks encourages all states to draft national plans that would ensure the conservation and management of sharks and their long-term sustainable use (NPOA-sharks). South Africa is in the process of finalizing the NPOA-sharks.

BACKGROUND ON WORLD OCEANS DAY

The concept for World Oceans Day was proposed in 1992 by the Government of Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro and it had been celebrated every year on June 8 since then, and subsequently officially been declared by the United Nations which marked a significant step in conserving and protecting our world's ocean. World Oceans Day provides an opportunity each year to celebrate our world ocean and people’s connection to the sea

WHY SHOULD WE CELEBRATE WORLD OCEANS DAY?

The world's ocean:

Generates most of the oxygen we breathe
Helps feed us
Regulates our climate
Cleans the water we drink
Global trade is dominated be sea transport
Offers us a pharmacopoeia of potential medicines
Provides limitless inspiration!

Yet for too long, human society has taken the world's ocean for granted.

INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE SHARK

Recent findings of the Global Shark Assessment indicate that at current rates of decline, extinction of the most threatened species of shark is forecast in 10 to 15 years. In large regions, species that were once numerous have fallen to 1% of their original numbers, in a massacre comparable to that of the buffalo on the North American plains 200 years ago, but on a much larger scale. For example, in the Mediterranean Sea there is a 97 to 99.5% decline in shark numbers.

The threats sharks face in this modern world of human domination are daunting. The enormous scale of commercial longline fishing and bycatch, the methodical massacre for shark fin soup, habitat loss and destruction, particularly of nursery areas, pollution, and a variety of smaller operations that have great impact taken together, are the main threats to the future of sharks.

For media enquiries to:

Albi Modise (Chief Director Communications) | Telephone: 012 310-3122 | Mobile: 083-490-2871 | E-mail: amodise@deat.gov.za

Carol Moses | Mobile: 082-829-3917 | E-mail: cmoses@deat.gov.za

Sputnik Ratau (Media Liason Officer: Ministry for Water and Environmental Affairs) | Mobile: 082-521-9614

E&OE